Replacement of equipment

[spidey]

Gary...

Andy is a guy who has a temper. He breaks at least one club during each round. Sometimes it's broken during an aggressive swing in the trees. Can Andy carry an extra 5 iron in his bag (the club he usually breaks in the trees) and declare it out of play; but when he breaks his regular 5 iron, he can replace it without delaying the round?

spidey

[Gary Hill]

A player shall start a round with not more than 14 clubs. There are no restrictions on which clubs the player may carry. If Andy chooses, he may carry extra five irons as long as his total number does not exceed 14.

A club is considered damaged in the normal course of play when an action relating to making a stroke, a practice swing, or a practice stroke causes the club to be damaged. If a club has been damaged in the normal course of play, the player may continue to use the damaged club for the remainder of the round. The player may also repair the club or have it repaired as long as this does not unduly delay play. For example, if the shaft was bent, the player could bend it back over his knee, but he could not discontinue play and bring it to the pro shop for repairs.

If a club damaged in the normal course of play is unfit for play, the club may be replaced. The replacement of the club must not unduly delay play and must not be made by borrowing any club from any other person on the course. A club is unfit for play if it is substantially damaged, e.g. the shaft breaks into pieces or the clubhead becomes loose, detached or significantly deformed. A club is not unfit for play solely because the shaft is bent, the club's lie or loft has been altered or the clubhead is scratched.

If a club has been damaged other than in the normal course of play, the club shall not be used or replaced during the round.

Many people know that a club broken in anger against a tree cannot be used or replaced, but the actual application of "normal course of play" is much more restrictive. Examples of actions which are NOT covered by the term "normal course of play" include removing or replacing a club in the bag, using a club to search for or retrieve a ball, leaning on a club while waiting to play, in teeing a ball or removing a ball from the hole.

At last year's du Maurier at Royal Ottawa, Canadian A.J. Eathorne was forced to leave the course when the weather siren sounded. She and her caddie accepted a ride back to the clubhouse on a cart provided for the players. Nearing the clubhouse, spectators lifted the gallery ropes so the cart could pass underneath. However, the raised rope caught the top of her driver and snapped the shaft. Although she argued that play was suspended, she was not driving the cart, and the spectators didn't hold the rope high enough, she was not allowed to replace the club. This was an unfortunate incident, but it is a good example of players being ultimately responsible for their clubs.